Understanding Constitutional Law covers all of the central concepts and issues students encounter in any basic constitutional law course. Structure of Government issues revolve around the twin themes of federalism and separation of powers. Individual rights and liberties follow a concept organization-Due Process, Equal Protection, and First Amendment. Clearly written and authoritative, Understanding Constitutional Law addresses the central concepts and issues students encounter in most Constitutional Law casebooks. Structure of government issues revolve around the twin themes of federalism and separation of powers. Individual rights and liberties follow a concept organization - Due Process, Equal Protection, and First Amendment.
Inclusion of the some new justiciability decisions of the Roberts Court;
Discussion of Raich v. Gonzales and its impact on the Commerce Clause and Necessary and Proper Clause;
Discussion of United States v. Comstock and the Necessary and Proper Clause;
Discussion of Medellin v. Texas and the Treaty Power;
Discussion of Roberts Court decisions on dormant Commerce Clause and creation of new exceptions;
Discussion Free Enterprise Fund v. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;
Discussion of Boumediene v. Bush;
Discussion of Central Community College v. Katz and its impact on sovereign immunity;
Discussion of Gonzales v. Carhart and partial-birth abortions;
Discussion of District of Columbia v. Heller and the Second Amendment;
Discussion of Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal Co. and Judicial Recusal;
Discussion of Lawrence v. Texas and homosexuality;
Discussion of Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District and voluntary public school desegregation;
Discussion of Grutter v. Bollinger and affirmative action in higher education;
Discussion of Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project and the USA PATRIOT Acts effect on the First Amendment;
Discussion of Christian Legal Society v. Martinez and restrictions on religious student organizations receiving school fund;.
Discussion of McConnell v. Federal Election Commission and Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission and their effects on campaign finance and political speech;
Discussion of Van Orden v. Perry and the display of a religious monument on public grounds; and
Discussion of Zelman v. Simmons - Harris and school vouchers.
Supplemented annually
